Nature of the Work:
Recreational therapists, also known as therapeutic recreation specialists, employ activities to treat mentally, physically, or emotionally disabled individuals. By using various activities as a form of goal-directed treatment, therapists attempt to minimize symptoms and improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients. Recreational therapists should not be confused with recreation workers, who organize recreational activities solely for the purpose of enjoyment.
Recreational therapy activities are based not only on the interests and abilities of the people they serve, but on the role of the facility they are delivered in. In hospitals, for instance, where the goal is treatment and rehabilitation, recreation therapists provide a form of active treatment. In a nonclinical setting such as a community recreation department, recreation therapists may use leisure activities to improve the client's general health and well-being.
Recreational therapy is a relatively new field. Closely related to occupational therapy, it also recognizes the importance of ordinary activities in putting disabled persons on the road to improvement or full recovery. Toward this end, therapists use such activities as athletic events, dances, arts and crafts, musical activities, movies, and field trips. Recreational therapy goals include helping patients improve their physical strength and coordination, build confidence and self-esteem through assertiveness training, manage stress through relaxing activities, and learn how to express feelings in positive and effective ways.
The specifics of each recreational therapist's job vary with the employment setting and capacities of the patients or clients served. In most clinical settings, recreational therapists usually work in the rehabilitation or therapy department with other therapists from such disciplines as music, dance, art, and occupational therapy. Working as a team, they evaluate each patient, develop a coordinated treatment plan, and monitor progress.
In order to set realistic goals and recommend suitable activities, recreational therapists first gather information on the mental, physical, and emotional status of each patient. Withadditional information gathered from relatives and the patients themselves, the therapist then meets with other members of the staff to develop appropriate therapeutic activities consistent with the patient's enthusiasms, hobbies, and interests and desired goals.
A patient having trouble socializing may express an interest in chess but be overwhelmed by the prospect of actually playing since that involves interaction with another person. In such a case, the therapist may simply encourage the patient to observe a game or games. Later, the therapist might serve as a chess partner for as long as it takes to instill the patient with the confidence to seek out other patients as partners.
Recreational therapists carefully observe patients' participation and reactions to the activities in which they are involved. These observations provide the basis for a periodic review of each patient's activity program. The program is apt to be modified as the patient's condition changes.
Recreational therapists keep a variety of records, including progress notes, staff notes, and discharge notes. These records are used to monitor progress, to justify changes in the treatment plan, and for billing purposes.
In nursing homes, therapy is often more group oriented than in hospitals. Without stimulating or interesting events, the daily routine of a nursing home can be monotonous and depressing, leading residents to deteriorate. The goal of the therapist, often called an activities director, is to heighten residents' enjoyment of life through such recreational and group activities as field trips, exercise classes, and craft lessons.
Community-based recreational therapists work in such programs as local park and recreation departments, special education school programs, adult day care for the elderly, or county-operated programs for persons with disabilities. Recreational therapists in community settings may face the added logistical challenge of having to arrange transportation and escort services for prospective participants. Developing community-based therapeutic recreation programs also requires a large measure of organizational ability, flexibility, and ingenuity.
Working Conditions:
Working conditions vary according to the employment setting, facilities, and activities being implemented. In hospitals, recreational therapists might work on a unit or in a specially equipped activities room. In community settings, recreational therapists will likely be in several different places during the course of a day or a week. Planning of events may take place in an office, while actual activities might be in a gymnasium, outdoors, or in a swimming pool.
In general, recreational therapists work in well-lighted, well-ventilated areas. The job may be tiring because it might include physical participation in activities as well as lifting and carrying equipment. The job can be demanding because therapists often work with persons with special needs. Recreational therapists generally work a standard 40-hour week, although weekend and evening hours are occasionally required.
Employment:
Recreational therapists held jobs in Nursing homes and hospitals. Other employers include community mental health centers, adult day care programs, correctional facilities, residential facilities for the mentally retarded, a variety of community programs for people with disabilities, and substance abuse centers.
A small number of therapists are self-employed, generally contracting with one or more nursing homes or community programs to develop and oversee specialized programs.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Hiring requirements vary. A degree in therapeutic recreation is the usual requirement for clinical positions usually found in hospitals, mental health settings, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes with strong therapeutic programs.
Many recreational therapists working in nursing homes work as activities directors. Since the position of activities director often has a recreational rather than a clinical focus, an associate degree or qualifying work experience often satisfies hiring requirements.
A few States regulate this profession through either licensure, certification, or regulation of titles. Applicants for licensure must have a degree from a regionally accredited program in either therapeutic recreation or recreation with an emphasis on therapeutic recreation. They must also undergo a supervised internship and pass the State licensure exam. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification certifies therapeutic recreation specialists and therapeutic recreation assistants. Some employers require individuals to be certified; others prefer it.
There are more than many programs in recreational therapy. Some of these programs were accredited by the National Council on Accreditation. Most offer bachelor's degrees, although some offer associate or master's degrees.Although a bachelor's degree is the usual entry level requirement for a job as a recreational therapist, a graduate degree is generally required for teaching, research, and administrative positions.
In addition to therapeutic recreation courses in clinical practice skills, helping skills, program design, management, and professional issues, students must develop an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities and the concepts of mainstreaming and normalization. Additional courses teach students such practical information as professional ethics, assessment and referral procedures, and the use of adaptive and medical equipment In addition, 360 hours of internship under the supervision of a certified therapeutic recreation specialist are required.
Warmth, patience, and a desire to help the disabled are needed by recreational therapists. Ingenuity and imagination are also needed in adapting activities to individual needs. Good physical coordination is necessary when demonstrating or participating in recreational activities.
Job Outlook:
Employment of recreational therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, chiefly because of anticipated expansion in the need for long-term care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation, and services for the mentally and emotionally disabled.
Hospitals will provide a large number of recreational therapy jobs. A growing number of these will be in hospital-based adult day care programs or in units offering short-term mental health services to individuals suffering from alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, depression, and similar conditions. Long-term rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals will provide additional jobs.
Public and private response to the needs of older people is expected to spur job growth for activities directors in nursing homes, retirement communities, adult day care programs, and social service agencies. Such expansion is anticipated because of a rapidly growing number of people 75 years of age and older.
In the areas of mental health and mental retardation, continued support is expected for community residential facilities as well as day care programs for the physically and mentally disabled. Community programs for special populations are expected to continue growing through the year. In recreational therapy, as in other human services fields, internships and volunteer work provide contacts that may prove invaluable in finding a job.
Job prospects are expected to be favorable for those with a strong clinical background who have also graduated from an accredited program. Currently, there are reports of a shortage of qualified recreational therapists in some areas, rural areas in particular. Competition for the higher paying hospital jobs is keen.
Related Occupations:
Recreational therapists design activities to help people with disabilities lead more fulfilling and independent lives. Other workers who have similar jobs are orientation therapists for the blind, art therapists, drama therapists, dance therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.
